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Fredi: Constanza's shot at roster not yet in peril

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JUPITER, Fla. -- Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez says there's been no update on the status of outfielder Jose Constanza, who remains in the Dominican Republic held up by a visa issue nearly three weeks after position players reported to Braves camp.

Gonzalez said Constanza's chance of making the club -- a good one, though he's competing with Jordan Schafer, who is out of Minor League options -- still isn't affected by his absence. The skipper said he feels more comfortable with Constanza's situation given the outfielder is fresh off 30 games of Dominican winter ball with Toros del Este.

"I don't think we're there yet," Gonzalez said. "He's played winter ball all winter. We know what he brings to us. We're fine that way. If all of a sudden it's a week before the season starts, then we've got to worry about preparing for a Major League season. But I don't think we're there yet."

Gonzalez said if Constanza were to show up tomorrow, for instance, he expects the outfielder would need only a few days before he could jump into action.

Constanza, 29, would be in his third season with the Braves, after playing 42 and 37 games in 2011 and 2012, respectively. He's a career .281 hitter with 12 stolen bases and a .672 OPS in 79 career games. He's played all three outfield spots for the Braves.